Converter unit for bucket loader



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CONVERTER UNIT FOR BUCKET LOADER Filed Sept. 21, 1964 Fig. 1 C

Fig. 2.

INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. FOSTER l/r arne 9S 3,249,245 CONVERTER UNIT FOR BUCKET LOADER William E. Foster, R.R. 6, Box 1038, Kokomo, ind.

Filed Sept. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 397,779

, '9 Claims. (Cl. 214-145) United States Patent F This invention relates to utility vehicles having power scoops or buckets for earth-scooping and earth-moving; and more particularly, the present invention provides a ment for other uses according to needs of the user.

Vehicles of this general type, particularly those commonly referred to as a utility bucket loader, have great power; and thus, the owner or user of such a vehicle has at hand a source of great and useful power, which, if

conveniently obtainable, would economically provide a versatility of operation needed for a variety of agricultural and industrial uses.

Unfortunately, however, insofar as the desiredversatility is concerned, the utility bucket loader also has a bucket; and the bucket is not only large and bulky, but it is also quite heavy.

Of course, the bucket on many of these bucket loaders may be removed, but the heaviness and awkwardness of the bucket makes removal and re-installation of the bucket quite a burdensome task. The task is such that many owners or users, who would have special desire for versatility of the vehicle, would not likely have the equipment to use in removing the bucket and re-installing it 'after the vehicle has been used for the auxiliary duty.

Even with power available for bucket removal and reinstallation, the task would be unhandy and bothersome, even if the extra labor-time were the only consideration.

Concepts of the present invention, accordingly, pro vide a converter unit which adapts such a vehicle for auxiliary uses, withoutv removing the bucket of the vehicle, thus obtaining versatility conveniently and economically, for utilizing the vehicle power for the other uses desired. Moreover, the concepts provide a co-operating utilization of the shape and formation details of the bucket to high advantage; and the concepts permit the converter unit to be rapidly assembled onto the vehicle merely by driving the vehicle against it, and by dropping a single removable pin in place, removal of the converter unit being just as simple and convenient.

These and other concepts and details of the present invention, providing a converter means for convenient and economical adaptation of a bucket loader for auxiliary use, will further appear in the following more detailed description together with the accompanying somewhat diagrammatic drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a converter unit illustrating the invention, the converter unit being shown as mounted on an associated bucket loader utility vehicle; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of the converter unit.

As shown in the drawings, a converter unit 10 is shown in conjunction with an associated utility vehicle 12 of a front-end loader type known as a bucket loader. The vehicle has a large and heavy scoop or bucket 14 for the scooping and moving of earth and other objects; and the bucket 14 is movably supported by links or arms 16 powered by the vehicle.

-In accordance with concepts of the present invention,

- the converter unit 10 adapts such a bucket loader 12 for auxiliary duty, providing versatility by permitting the support of auxiliary implements, without the need to remove and re-install the bucket 14, a bothersome and burdensome task as mentioned above.

3,249,245 Patented May 3, 1966 Accordingly, the converter unit 10 shown generally comprises a horizontal beam 18, a post or column 20 extending vertically from the beam near the front end thereof, and a pair of support members 22 which diagonally extend from the beam 18 adjacent the intersection of the beam 18 and column 20'. The column 20 and the diagonal support members 22 are co-planar, all being in a transverse vertical plane when the converter unit 10 is mounted on the bucket 14; and members 20 and 22 are of a vertical extent such that beam 18 is carried at the top of the back plate 23 of bucket 14.

The support members 22 are shown as provided at their lower ends with rearwardly-opening brackets 24, of a shallow C-shape when viewed from the side. These brackets 24 provide rapidity of assembly and dis-assembly of the converter unit 10 onto and off the bucket 14; for, in installation, the vehicle 12 is merely driven forwardly to cause the bottom wall 26 of the bucket 14 to engage into the opening '27 of the brackets 24 to supportingly engage the upper flange 28 of the brackets 24, and in dis-assembly, the vehicle 12 is driven rearwardly out of the brackets 24. The opening 27 of the brackets 24 is desirably just enough to loosely receive the bottom bucket-wall 26.

Diagonal support members 22 brace beam 18 against tipping and swaying, and provide support for the front end of beam 18 from adjacent the lateral ends of bucketwall 26, these portions of bucket-wall 26 being strongly supported by the bucket side-plates 30'.

The column 20 shown carries a base bracket 31, of downwardly opening generally U-shape, and extending fore-and-aft, which loosely receives one of the prongs 32 which are carried along bottom bucket-wall 26, preventing lateral slippage of the converter unit 10*.

The beam 18 is provided at its rearward with a tongue 34 which is received in a slot 36 in bucket back-plate 23, the slot 36 being located at the top of back-plate 23 adjacent the sloping top-wall 38 of bucket 14. The tongue 34 is provided with a hole 40 in a portion of the tongue located rearwardly of the bucket back-plate 23; and a pin 42 may be slipped into the hole 40 to hold the converter unit 10 against forward movement with respect to the bucket 14, when in use. I

The upper portion of the rear end of beam 18 is sloped, correspondingly to the slope of bucket top-wall 38, and

provides an abutment 44 engageable with the top-wall 38 to hold down the rearward end of beam 18.

Accordingly, when the converter unit 10 is mounted on bucket 14, the beam 18 is supported in a central location; yet the support of the beam is obtained directly from portions of the bucket 14 at or closely adjacent the strength-imparting vertical plates of the bucket, giving high supporting strength and without significant tendency to bend horizontal or spanning plates of the bucket 14.

The construction concepts provide that relatively little reaction force occurs at the rear of the beam, for the rear-reaction is only that required to offset the turning moment of the weight being raised, and the length of the beam is such that relatively little rear-reaction need occur to provide the offsetting reaction moment. Thus there is but little tendency to deform or tear the upper bucketwall 38, even with very heavy loads, the entire weight of the load being raised being supported by the front supports 22 which transfer that Weight almost directly floor, on bracket-surfaces 45, permitting ease of mounting and dismounting of the unit on and off the bucket 14, with simple driving maneuvers stated above to effect registered engagement of the parts during mounting.

Fastening hitches and connections, by which various auxiliary implements may be supportingly secured to the converter unit 10, Will now be described.

The most-forward hitch is simply a tongue 46 carried at the extreme forward end of beam 18, the tongue 46 having a hole 48. Auxiliary implements of various types may use this hitch.

A movably located hitch St is shown as including a generally rectangular frame 52 which loosely embraces a forward portion of beam 18, and carries a semi-circular supporting hitch-member 54 over which may be supportingly passed the associated hook or other connector of auxiliary implements. The beam 18 carries an upraised lug 56, preventing hitch 50 from inadvertently slipping forwardly off the beam 18.

Another hitch 58 is shown provided by a plate 60, two of whose edges are welded respectively to the beam 18 and column 26, hitch 58 thus also providing stiffening by a gusset-plate nature.

The plate 60 of hitch 58 is provided with a large opening 62 the bottom of which has a slanting edge 64; and edge 64 is cut to provide vertically-extending notches or slots 66 into which a link of an associated chain may be passed, securely holding the chain for pulling and lifting purposes and uses.

Desirably, all connections of the members of the unit are by welding.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a new and useful converter unit, having several advantages of construction, and ease of assembly and dis-assembly with respect to a scoop or bucket of a utility vehicle, and providing in the overall a converter unit for attaining versatility of use of the utility vehicle without removal and re-assembly of the bucket thereof, accommodating conveniently and economically a variety of auxiliary implements as desired.

Accordingly, from the foregoing description of'the invention according to the illustrative embodiment, considered with the accompanying drawings, it is seen that the invention provides a novel and useful device having desirable advantages and characteristics, and accomplishing its intended objects, including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the invention; accordingly it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment thereof illustrated and described, or to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. Thus, because the invention is set forth herein with reference to a vehicle having its power bucket mounted at the front of the vehicle, the converter unit has been set forth with the use of terms such as front and rear with reference to the front-mounted power bucket; but the invention is not to be considered, as limited in this regard, those terms referring to directions as the user views the open end of the bucket.

What is claimed is:

1. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising: a

a beam;

support members extending diagonally outward and downward from a forward portion of the beam;

the said support members being provided at their lower ends with rearwardly-opening brackets, of a shallow C-shape when viewed from the side, the opening of which being such as to loosely receive the bottom wall of the associated power bucket;

a column extending downwardly from said beam;

said column being provided at its lower end with a 4 downwardly-opening generally U-shaped bracket extending fore-and-aft, the opening of which being such as to loosely receive one of the prong-members carried along thebottom wall of the associated power bucket;

the location of the brackets on the said support members, with the reference to the fore-and-aft extent of the said beam, and the fore-and-aft extent of said brackets, co-operating to provide that the unit is stably self-supporting when resting on an associated floor;

hitch means carried by the beam;

a hitch member including an upwardly-facing edge formed to provide vertically-extending notches adapted to receive a link of an associated chain; and

a hitch slidably carried by the beam, said hitch including a bracket passing over the beam, the beam being provided with an upraised lug limiting forward movement of said hitch bracket.

2. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising:

a beam;

support members extending diagonally outward and downward from a forward portion of the beam;

the said support members being provided at their lower ends with rearWardly-opening brackets, of a shallow C-shape when viewed from the side, the opening of which being such asto loosely receive the bottom wall of the associated power bucket; and

a column extending dowardly from said beam;

said column being provided at its lower end with a downwardly-opening generally U-shaped bracket extending fore-and-aft, the opening of which being such as to loosely receive one of the prong-members carried along the bottom wall of the associated powerbucket;

the beam being provided at its rearward end with a tongue adapted to interfit with means provided on a rear wall of the associated power bucket;

the location of the brackets on the said support members, with reference to the fore-and-aft extent of the said beam, and the fore-and-aft extent of said brackets, cooperating to provide that the unit is stably self-supporting when resting on an associated floor. 3. A converter unit for utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising: I

a beam; support members extending outward and downward from a forward portion of the beam; the said support members being provided at their lower ends with'rearwardly-opening brackets, of a shallow C-shaped when viewed from the side, the opening of which being such as to loosely receive the bottom wall of the associated power bucket. 4. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising:

a beam; support members extending outward and downward from a forward portion of the beam; the said support beam members being provided at their lower ends with rearwardly-opening brackets, of a shallow C-shape when viewed from the side, the opening of which being such as to loosely receive the bottom wall of the associated power bucket; the location of the brackets on the said support members, with reference to the fore-and-aft extent of the said beam, and the fore-and-aft extent of said brackets, co-operating to provide that the unit is stably self-supporting when resting on an associated floor. 5. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket having a bottom wall, said unit comprising:

a beam;

support members extending outward and downward from a forward portion of the beam;

said support members providing a base which provides that the unit is stably self-supporting when resting on an associated floor;

said support members being provided at their bucketengaging ends with an abutment supportingly engageable by the bottom wall of said bucket;

said abutments being at an elevation above the base providing that when the unit is resting on the floor the vehicle may be driven up against the said unit and the said abutments may supportingly receive thereunder the bottom wall of the associated power bucket.

6. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising:

a beam;

support means supporting the rear of said beam by a rear portion of the bucket;

support members extending outward from a forward portion of the beam;

the portion of the beam between the connection thereto of said support members and the rearward support means being substantial in comparison to the operative length of said beam forwardly of the connection of said support members to the beam, providing that the rear support reaction is relatively low in comparison to the magnitude of a force exerted by an object being supported by the forward portion of the beam, and the reaction support of the said support members caused by said object force and said rear support reaction is relatively low;

the said support members being provided with abutments adapted to be supportingly engaged by the bottom portion of the associated power bucket.

\ 7. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power ucket, said unit comprising:

a beam;

forward support means supporting the forward portion of the beam from a forward portion of the bu ketg and rear support means supporting the rearwardportion of the beam from a rearward portion of the bucket;

said rear supporting means including a tongue, the

rear wall of the bucket provided with a slot ac- 5 commodating the said tongue, upward rear support of the beam being by the said rear bucket- Wall through said tongue, and downward rear support of the beam being by the forwardly-extending upper wall of the bucket. 10 8. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising:

a beam; forward support means supporting the forward portion of the beam from a forward portion of the bucket; rear supporting means for the beam including an abutting reaction between a rear portion of the beam and the associated forwardly-extending upper wall of the bucket. 9. A converter unit for a utility vehicle having a power bucket, said unit comprising:

a beam; forward support means supporting the forward portion of the beam from a forward portion of the bucket; and rear support means supporting the rearward portion of the beam from the rear wall of the bucket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 11/ 1936 Great Britain.

HUGO o. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CONVERTER UNIT FOR A UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING A POWER BUCKET, SAID UNIT COMPRISING: A BEAM; SUPPORT MEMBERS EXTENDING DIAGONALLY OUTWARD AND DOWNWARD FROM A FORWARD PORTION OF THE BEAM; THE SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED AT THEIR LOWER ENDS WITH REARWARDLY-OPENING BRACKETS, OF A SHALLOW C-SHAPE WHEN VIEWED FROM THE SIDE, THE OPENING OF WHICH BEING SUCH AS TO LOOSELY RECEIVE THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE ASSOCIATED POWER BUCKET; A COLUMN EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID BEAM; SAID COLUMN BEING PROVIDED AT ITS LOWER END WITH A DOWNWARDLY-OPENING GENERALLY U-SHAPED BRACKET EXTENDING FORE-AND-AFT, THE OPENING OF WHICH BEING SUCH AS TO LOOSELY RECEIVE ONE OF THE PRONG-MEMBERS CARRIED ALONG THE BOTTOM WALL OF THE ASSOCIATED POWER BUCKET; THE LOCATION OF THE BRACKETS ON THE SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS, WITH THE REFERENCE TO THE FORE-AND-AFT EXTENT OF THE SAID BEAM, AND THE FORE-AND-AFT EXTENT OF SAID BRACKETS, CO-OPERATING TO PROVIDE THAT THE UNIT IS STABLY SELF-SUPPORTING WHEN RESTING ON AN ASSOCIATED FLOOR; HITCH MEANS CARRIED BY THE BEAM; A HITCH MEMBER INCLUDING AN UPWARDLY-FACING EDGE FORMED TO PROVIDE VERTICALLY-EXTENDING NOTCHES ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A LINK OF AN ASSOCIATED CHAIN; AND A HITCH SLIDABLY CARRIED BY THE BEAM, SAID HITCH INCLUDING A BRACKET PASSING OVER THE BEAM, THE BEAM BEING PROVIDED WITH AN UPRAISED LUG LIMITING FORWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID HITCH BRACKET. 